Mom! I Had Enough Cookies!

So far, none of my seven children has ever said that! To be fair, the seventh doesn't talk or eat solid food yet.

I know I never have enough cookies. I like to try new recipes from great websites. Some are recommended, some have enticing photos, causing my Pavlov's Dog reaction and I have to wipe drool off of my keyboard.

Sometimes I try a recipe and it doesn't come out quite right. Why not? It's a published recipe that someone tried out and posted pictures of, right? Maybe there was a typo. Maybe this person really like the way it turned out and I just - didn't?

I asked a real foodie some kitchen chemistry questions and do you know what? She answered them! The answers made sense and helped me to figure out how to alter a recipe and to know why what I tried didn't work.

Sure, I have enough kitchen experience to figure some things out. I know not to put tomato products in with my beans until the beans are already softened. But WHY? The Nite Owl Chef can tell you why!

Ask her your questions. She'll give you the real, kitchen chemistry answer, and follow it up with regular english.

You'll now know why you should only stir until just mixed, or why to boil certain items for a particular amount of time. You'll also find yummy recipes.

Nite Owl Chef caters special events, too! She has experience and photos of her gigs.

One of the great, really cool things about Nite Owl Chef is that she finds and modifies recipes for people with different food intolerances. Gluten free? Dairy free? a criss crossed mish mash of a family of intolerances? She'll get an entire meal put together that meets this need and is still tasty!

Check out Nite Owl Chef's blog and post a few questions of your own!

Mom! I Can't Wait for Family Photos!

Honestly, my kids groaned and complained about 'having' to take family pics. We haven't done it in a few years. It's usually a stressful event. Everyone has to be clean and dressed up and then squish into a hot studio with lights and cram together for an hour sweating and getting grumpy.

We changed it up a bit this year! Anita, with Rustic Star Photography worked with us this year. We met at a local park and had fun. The kiddos were able to run around a bit, it wasn't a huge issue when one ran through water, and a couple more played in the dirt. It all came out okay. Lots of personality in these pics. I like that a lot, because our family is FULL of personality!

Mom! I Have Saved up my Money and Will Pay for Myself!

Okay, I've heard this one a few times. Usually the context is something that they wouldn't be allowed anyway. Happy Meals, Latte's for a six year old, certain video games, entrance to an amusement park on their own.

Little do my children know that the money they earn from me is recycled when spent. The little ones give their money to me, I help them make change and count everything out. Then, when they aren't looking, I put it in a jar from which future payments will be made.

The older ones do make their own purchases, handing carefully counted bill and coin to a cashier. Their heads and shoulders held high, smiles on their faces.

One child has recently learned that it might be best to save for a future purchase rather than spend for the sake of spending. I sure hope they all learn that lesson at a very early age. Perhaps one of them will one day sit in the Senate, or become President, and put our money jar lessons to work!

Mom! I Have Plenty to do and am Never Bored!

I have yet in 15 years of parenting to hear this phrase! Often these days, children are at home alone during the afternoon and evenings while parents work and commute. There isn't a lot for kids to do, end some of them end up getting into trouble. Not all kids do this, I know. When kids live in an area where there isn't any direction and activity for them, and they are alone with the only influence being their peers, well, this doesn't always bode well.

There is a group in Monroe, WA, at the YMCA that provides musical training for kids who are in this type of situation. They provide classes in musical theory and instruction on band instruments. Oh, no, not marching band! Rock band! Kids learn guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals. They learn how to set up amps and sound systems, lights and staging. They learn about discipline necessary to practice and be reliable and accountable.

Right now, Pepsi co. is offering a chance to win funding for community acitivities. The One Achord Academy has entered this contest. To watch their video and vote for the Academy, go here.

Mom! You are Fair and Just. Thanks!

As our children are seeing that there are privileges and responsibilities given out based, not merely by age, but by level of maturity, we are seeing a push-back. This isn't fun to deal with, but entirely necessary. Hopefully, there will be at least seven people out there who believe in hard work, promotion by merit, and helping the weak. One of the desires I have for my babies is that they do not believe that anyone owes them anything just because they breathe.

Mom! I've Completed My Chores Without Being Asked!

..and require no compensation. While I'd love to hear this from my kiddos, I must admit, my attitude is much the same as theirs. At the end of a long day of cooking, dishes, laundry, floors, diaper changes, character training, grocery shopping, putting away toys, and baths, I expect hugs and kisses and finally...quiet. It is my required compensation.

Mom! I'm Concerned About Wildlife.

How many days do we read news about the US government that is filled with death and destruction? How often are the government stories about building up and supporting life? In the instance that grabbed my eye today, the government is spending scads, yes, SCADS, of our tax dollars to kill wolves. Recently, our courts moved to re-issue protections for the wolves. The government, however, is pushing ahead with it's plans to destroy entire wolf packs. They are using helicopters, lethal gasses, sterilization for alpha pairs. Is this really necessary? You can sign a petition here or click on the button at the bottom of this blog page. Save the Wolves!